SunSpec Inverter Models - 12020

Document #: 12020
Status: DRAFT
Version 1.5
SunSpec

Inverter Models
SunSpec
Alliance Interoperability Specification

SunSpec Alliance Inverter Workgroup
John Nunneley, Bob Fox, Christian Cox, Greg Madianos, John Blair, John Daharsh, Soonwook
Bill Randle,
Hong, Martin Beran, Brian Lydic, Jose Gomez, Lu Jiang, Motoko Furukawa, Ralf Kaisler, Andreas Schacht,

Søren Bækhøj Kjær, Bill Reaugh, Bob Schmitt, Brett Francis, Bryan Thomas, Jim Perkinson, John Altstadt,
Richard S cott, Sebastian Hassell, Tim McKernan, Todd Miklos, Yaron Binder, Francisco Ancin, Tom Tansy

ABSTRACT
The SunSpec Alliance Interoperability Specification suite consists of the following
documents:
-‐ SunSpec Technology Overview
-‐ SunSpec Information Model Specification
-‐ SunSpec Information Model Reference Spreadsheet
-‐ Collection of SunSpec Device Category Model Specifications
-‐ SunSpec Plant Extract Document
This document describes the inverter model of the SunSpec Alliance
interoperability specification.

License Agreement and Copyright Notice

Copyright © SunSpec Alliance 2009-‐2015. All Rights Reserved.
Modbus® is a registered trademark of Modbus Organization, Inc.. All other
copyrights and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This document and the information contained herein is provided on an "AS IS" basis
and the SunSpec Alliance DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY THAT THE USE OF THE
INFORMATION HEREIN WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY OWNERSHIP RIGHTS OR ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE.
This document may be used, copied, and furnished to others, without restrictions of
any kind, provided that this document itself may not be modified in anyway, except
as needed by the SunSpec Technical Committee and as governed by the SunSpec IPR
Policy. The complete policy of the SunSpec Alliance can be found at
www.sunspec.org.

Prepared by the SunSpec Alliance
4030 Moorpark Avenue, Suite 109 Website: www.sunspec.org
San Jose, CA 95117 Email: info@sunspec.org

Change History, Inverter Control & Monitoring Models
Version Date Description
Version 0.0b 11-‐01-‐2011 Initial draft proposal.
Version 0.0c 01-‐06-‐2012 Change var setting in Volt-‐VAr array from %Wmax to %avail vars.
Add MPPT block. Change Dynamic VAr to Dynamic Reactive Current.
Add description for control mode enumerations. Add new appendix A
for additional basic monitoring points; rename existing appendix A to
appendix B.
Version 0.0f 01-‐16-‐2012 Move Modbus maps to separate spreadsheet document. Add figures
and descriptive text for various control modes.
Version 0.1 01-‐18-‐2012 Update associated map spreadsheet based on Jan 18 meeting.
Version 0.2 01-‐25-‐2012 Minor updates based on Jan 25 meeting.
Version 0.2a 01-‐27-‐2012 Add new figure showing example chained control blocks. Remove text
mentioning a corresponding floating point map. Remove additional
DC measurements from Appendix A.
SunSpec Inverter Models Page 2 of 22

Version 0.3 02-‐07-‐2012 Add text regarding lifetime energy accumulations. Update figures 1, 3
and 7. Add DC measurements back into Appendix A. New SunSpec
logo. Add meaning for VAR setting in volt-‐var arrays. Change “VarXXX”
to “VArXXX” and Pref to WRef to match IEC nomenclature. New
figures for dynamic reactive current support.
Version 0.4 02-‐13-‐2012 Remove appendices. Add Security section.
Version 0.5 02-‐17-‐2012 Reword parts of the Dynamic Reactive Current support section to
match the figures (11 & 12). Add text to Nameplate Ratings and Basic
Settings blocks for positive and negative VARs and leading and lagging
power factor. Add text to Measurements block for new status limit bit
mask. Add Acknowledgements section.
Version 0.8 04-‐27-‐2012 Replace figure 7 and add table 1 with info from latest IEC 61850-‐90-‐7
draft 21. Use short names when referring to data elements. Add
statement of representation of percentages.
Version 0.9 06-‐26-‐2012 Update figures 3, 7, 8 and 18 with info from IEC 61850-‐90-‐7 draft 27a.
Delete original figure 4. Clarify text for low pass filter on independent
variable in curves. Recommend four curves of 10 points each for
Watt-‐PF array for consistency and scheduling. Increase recommended
number of points for LVRT/HVRT curves from 10 to 16. Change
function name of “Static Volt-‐VAR” to “Volt-‐VAR”.
DRAFT 10 08-‐29-‐2012 Writeable clarification.

Supported modes and options clarification
DRAFT 11 06-‐02-‐2013 Standardization on EEI sign convention for Power Factor notation.
• Replace two quadrant VAr and PF settings with four quadrant
values.
• Add new LFRT/HFRT models.
• Increase minimum array size to 20 points for all curves.
• Add recommendations for handling of errors and
unsupported values/enumerations.
DRAFT 12 06-‐19-‐2013 Clarify behavior of Enable registers. Cleanup up terminology
(“function” and “block” now “model” in most cases).
DRAFT 13 01-‐10-‐2014 Clarify definition of Power Factor.
DRAFT 14 03-‐25-‐2015 Combine Inverter Monitoring Spec into this Monitoring and Control
specification, and include references to the Comprehensive Data
Model and Modbus Map.
Version 1.5 04-‐06-‐2015 Updated descriptions. Underlying model definitions are unchanged.

Change History, Monitoring Specification
Change history for the Inverter Monitoring Specification.
Revision Date Reason
Approved 1.1 04-‐01-‐2013 Published “Inverter Models v1.1” on website
Approved 1.2 06-‐01-‐2013 Updating logo, replace point names
Adding MPPT Model to collection

Change to new SunSpec document format, change

Approved 1.3 09-‐18-‐2014 name from “Inverter Models” to “Inverter Monitoring
Model ”


Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Model Headers ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
Inverter Data Models and Modbus Maps ....................................................................................................... 7
Monitoring Data Element Types ........................................................................................................................ 7
Inverter Control Models ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Nameplate Ratings (Model 120) ................................................................................................................... 9
Basic Settings (Model 121) ........................................................................................................................... 10
Measurements and Extended Status Reporting (Model 122) ....................................................... 11
Immediate Controls (Model 123) .............................................................................................................. 12
Basic Storage Control (Model 124) ........................................................................................................... 13
Pricing Signal (Model 125) ........................................................................................................................... 13
Volt-‐VAR Arrays (Model 126) ..................................................................................................................... 13
Frequency-‐Watt Control (Model 127, Model 134) ............................................................................. 14
Dynamic Reactive Current (Model 128) ................................................................................................. 16
LVRT Arrays (Model 129, Model 137) ..................................................................................................... 18
HVRT Arrays (Model 130, Model 138) .................................................................................................... 19
Watt-‐Power Factor Array (Model 131) ................................................................................................... 19
Voltage-‐Watt Arrays (Model 132) ............................................................................................................. 20
Basic Scheduling (Model 133) ..................................................................................................................... 20
LFRT Array (Model 135) ............................................................................................................................... 21
HFRT Array (Model 136) ............................................................................................................................... 21
SunSpec Inverter Control Procedural Requirements ............................................................................ 21
Modbus Security .................................................................................................................................................... 21
Certification ............................................................................................................................................................. 22
References ................................................................................................................................................................ 22


Introduction
The SunSpec Alliance Interoperability Specifications describe the data models and
Modbus register mappings for devices used in Renewable Energy systems. This
document describes models for read-‐only inverter data (monitoring) as well as
support of programmed, scheduled, and autonomous inverter control operations.
Device models can be chained together per the SunSpec Information Model
Specification, to create a specific implementation. This built-‐in flexibility removes
any fixed constraint on the number and types of controls that can be incorporated
with minimal overhead.
To allow inverter control modes to be optional on a feature basis, unique SunSpec
Models are defined for each of these new features. This allows the inverter to offer a
set of capabilities to clients and for those clients to discover the capabilities of the
inverter and allow a client to skip models it does not recognize or implement. See
Figure 1 for an example of inverter models chained together to create an inverter
implementation.
This specification applies to single-‐phase, split-‐phase and three-‐phase inverters.
SunSpec_ID
4x40001 Common Model SunSpec_ID (1)
:
4x40070 Inverter Model
SunSpec_ID (103)
:
4x40122 Nameplate Ratings
SunSpec_ID (123)
:
4x40140 Basic Settings
SunSpec_ID (124)
4x40170 Extended Meas. :
:
4x40207 Immediate Controls :
4x402xx Other Control Model
4x40xxx Other Control Model
4x40xxx End Model

Figure 1: Chained Inverter Control Models

Note that the SunSpec Interoperability Specifications and the definition of data
models are open to revision. We strongly suggest that you visit www.sunspec.org
and download the latest information before you actually begin implementing
inverter devices. An overview of SunSpec Technology and the SunSpec Information
Model Specification are included in the download.
Model Headers
The following top-‐level data elements are provided to describe each inverter model.
• ID – A well-‐known value –1xx that uniquely identifies this model as an
inverter model.
• Length – The length of the inverter model in registers, not including the ID or
Length registers.
Inverter Data Models and Modbus Maps

Refer to the SunSpec Information Model Reference spreadsheet
(http://sunspec.org/download) for a complete definition of all specific
environmental device models and all included data elements. This spreadsheet is
part of the comprehensive download of all SunSpec Specifications.
All inverter data models are defined in the 100 series of models (100-‐199). Look in
the Index tab of the spreadsheet to locate the model(s).
Each specific inverter data model goes through a separate approval process. The
SunSpec Information Model Reference spreadsheet includes data models that are of
Approved, Test, or Draft status. Status for each Model is indicated on the SunSpec
website. Be sure to check the status of any model before you implement. Only
approved models can be certified by SunSpec.
The SunSpec Information Model Reference spreadsheet is generated

programmatically from the model definitions contained in the SunSpec model
repository. The SMDX files in the model repository are the definitive
representations of SunSpec models.
Monitoring Data Element Types

The following data element types are defined for Monitoring:
• Inverter AC values

• Inverter DC values
• Inverter Operating Temperature
• Inverter Operating Status
• Inverter Event Flags

Models for monitoring data can be found between 100 and 119 in the Information
Model Reference spreadsheet.
Inverter Control Models

The various models are described in detail in the subsequent sections..
Implementations should leave unused or unsupported data points within a control
model set to the “not implemented” value.
Control settings are marked in the SunSpec Information Model Reference
spreadsheet with access RW. It is not required to support writeable for all settings.
Settings may be read-‐only if the setting is fixed or not settable via the
communication interface. Such limitations must be noted in the PICS document.
Some settings specify various modes are options. It is not required for
implementations to support all modes and options. Any limitations should be noted
in the PICS document. Any application writing an unsupported mode or optional
value shall receive a Modbus “Illegal data value, exception 3” response.
Many control points are specified in terms of percent of a fundamental setting or
nameplate rating (e.g., percent of WMax or percent of VRef). Unless otherwise
stated, data elements with units of percent are integer values from 0 to 100 and a
scale factor of 0. In many instances, a scale factor register is provided to allow
higher resolution (e.g., a value of 124 with a scale factor of -‐1 represents 12.4%).
For the purposes of this document, any references to power factor or PF means
cos(ɸ) (defined as cosine of the phase angle between the fundamental voltage and a
current), using the EEI power factor sign convention (Figure 6).
Most of the control models include a time window, reversion timeout value and
ramp time. The time window is a period of time within which the inverter randomly
delays before beginning execution of the command. This helps prevent a groups of
inverters from changing state or operating level at the exact same time. The
reversion timeout value (if non-‐zero) specifies a time for the requested change to
revert to its default state. A timeout value of zero means the change persists until
another change is made. If a reversion timer expires and control reverts to its
default state, any bits in the StActCtl register and/or associated enable register, if
supported, must be updated to reflect the new state. The ramp time is a fixed time in
seconds, over which the inverter settings are to transition from their pre-‐setting
level to their post-‐setting level. The purpose of this parameter is to prevent sudden
changes in output as a result of the receipt of a new command (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Example Time Window and Ramp Time
Many curve based controls also provide settings for a low pass filter and/or
maximum increment and decrement gradients. The low pass filter is applied to the
independent variable of the curve while the gradients are applied to the dependent
variable (Figure 3). The low pass filter is specified by RmpPT1ms, the time, in
seconds to achieve a change of 3τ (95%) . RmpDecTmm and RmpIncTmm (in
percent of output change per minute) provide the limiting linear gradients to avoid
sharp shifts at the breakpoints of the piecewise linear curve.

Utility Defined
Low Pass Curve Shape Linear
Filter Gradients

Figure 3: Transfer Function for Curve-‐Based Controls
Nameplate Ratings (Model 120)

The nameplate ratings are read-‐only values set by the inverter manufacturer by
design or manufactured configuration. They specify such values as the continuous
power output rating (WRtg), continuous VAR capability in each quadrant
(VArRtgQ1, VArRtgQ2, VArRtgQ3 and VArRtgQ4) and scale factors for these values.
The nameplate ratings are used as the default values for the corresponding basic
settings, such as WMax and VArMaxQn used in the other inverter control models
(Figure 4). Some inverter architectures may have different VAR capability for
positive (leading/inductive) VARs versus negative (lagging/capacitive) VARs, so the
nameplate rating model includes four values each for maximum VAR and minimum
PF ratings – one for each quadrant -‐ instead of a single rating for each.

Basic Settings (Model 121)

The Basic Settings model provides a means to modify the operating limits of an
inverter as originally set by the nameplate ratings. For example, the operating level
may be reduced or increased as a function of the number of attached PV panels or
condition of the equipment or even season of the year or intended use. The Basic
Settings section also includes settings related to a specific installation, such as VRef,
the voltage at the point of common coupling, VRefOfs, the voltage difference from
the point of common coupling to the electrical connection point of the inverter, and
the set point for the nominal frequency (Figure 5). Similar to the Nameplate Ratings
model, four values each are provided for the maximum VAR values..
While a watt-‐power factor array is provided for fine control of power factor versus
active power, some installations may want a simpler way to control PF limits, for
example to allow the PF to autonomously decrease down to a prescribed minimum,
after which power or other inverter setting(s) would be limited to keep the PF
pinned to that minimum value. To accommodate this, the PFMinQ1 through
PFMinQ4 registers are available to set an operating limit (greater than or equal to
the respective PF ratings) for power factor.

Figure 4: Nameplate and Operational Settings (producer frame of reference)

Example Settings = Electrical Connection Point (ECP)
VRefOfs = 4V
VRefOfs = 2V Utility Power System
Local Bus
Local Power Point of Common
System with
Coupling (PCC)
VRefOfs = 3V Line Resistors
VRef = 120V
DER interconnections

Figure 5: Connection Points
Measurements and Extended Status Reporting (Model 122)

Basic status reporting is defined in the base Inverter Models document. With
interactive inverter controls, additional status reporting is required. This includes
primary information, including ECP/grid connection status, PV
connection/availability, storage connection/availability and lifetime accumulated
real, apparent and reactive energy values. While the base inverter model includes
scaled lifetime real energy, the energy values in this model are all 64-‐bit quantities.
Reactive energy by quadrant is included for multi-‐quadrant inverters. The quadrant
nomenclature is per Figure 4.
In some installations, a customer, user or energy provider/supplier may want to
know if an inverter is operating at one of its defined limits. This can be achieved by
reading the current values for the parameters of interest and comparing to the
prescribed limits. However, to make the task easier, an optional status bit mask is
introduced to indicate when one of the defined limits is reached (maximum real,
apparent or reactive power, available VARs or minimum power factor). These status
bits are cleared by the device when the register is read and on powerup.
The optional StActCtl register provides feedback to the controller on which controls
are active. The bits in this register should indicate actual current operating status of
a given control, not just the enabled state. For example, a given control may be
enabled but not active due to randomization window, ramp time or a higher priority
control. In this case, its status bit would indicate not active (0).
Time settings are included to support the use of schedules and time stamping of
events. Time source, TmSrc, is a string that defines the source of the inverter time
reference. Possible strings could include “RTC”, “SNTP”, GPS”, “DNP3”, ”Modbus”,
etc. The current time, Tms, is read/write register that can be used to read the
current inverter time, as well as set the time if the time source is Modbus or the
inverter requires an initial time setting for its internal real time clock (RTC). Since

there is no practical use for representing time in the past, Tms is define as an
unsigned 32-‐bit integer with an epoch of 01 Jan 2000 00:00:00 UTC.
Immediate Controls (Model 123)

The immediate controls model includes the following: connect/disconnect from the
grid, adjust maximum generation level up/down, adjust power factor and adjust
fixed VAR delivery. Note that setting power factor and VARs are mutually exclusive,
but otherwise one or more of these controls may be active at the same time. The
sign convention for power factor is the EEI convention (Figure 6).
Each of the immediate control functions, except connect/disconnect, has an
associated enable (Ena) register. Each time a control value is changed, the
associated enable register must be written with the ENABLED value (1). If a
reversion timer is set for a given control, the associated enable register must be
cleared by the device when the timer expires. Due to random window and ramp
times, the enable register may not indicate the actual operational status of a control.
Use the StActCtl register of the Measurements and Extended Status model, if
available, to determine the current state of the inverter controls.
The EEI Power Factor sign convention is based on the
Power Triangle acc. Handbook for Electricity metering (EEI) and IEC 61557-12 (2007).
(+kVAR, +kVARh)
Quadrant 1
Quadrant 2 90°
Power factor sign Power factor sign

convention convention
EEI: + EEI: -
(Leading, capacitive) (Lagging, inductive)
Ap
A)
Imported /Received (VAR)
Imported /Received (VAR)

(V
p
ar
er
en
ow
tP
tP
ow
en
er
Reactive Power
Reactive Power
ar
(V
p
Ap
A)
θ θ
Active Power Active Power
Exported/Received (W) Imported/Delivered (W)
(-kW, -kWh) (+kW, +kWh)
180° 0°
Active Power Active Power
Exported/Received (W) Imported/Delivered (W)
θ θ
Exported/Received (VAR)
Exported/Received (VAR)
A)
Ap
(V
p
er
ar
ow
en
Reactive Power
Reactive Power
tP
tP
en
ow
ar
er
p
(V
Ap
A)
Power factor sign Power factor sign

convention convention
EEI: - EEI: +
(Lagging, inductive) (Leading, capacitive)
Quadrant 3 270° Quadrant 4

(-kVAR, -kVARh)
Figure 6: EEI Power Factor sign convention

Basic Storage Control (Model 124)

The Storage Controls model includes settings, status and controls for battery-‐based
storage subsystems. The settings include maximum charge and discharge rates,
minimum reserve and their respective scale factors. Status includes the current
available energy, available storage, internal battery voltage and the charge status.
Controls include requesting real power (charge or discharge storage), setting the
charge or discharge rate and an indication if charge is allowed from the grid or PV
only.
Pricing Signal (Model 125)

The pricing signal is used to adjust the power output or with storage systems to
allowing the storage system to manage its charging and discharging based on an
abstract pricing signal indicating the price (or value) of energy. The actual pricing
signal value is utility or ESP defined, but could be absolute price in local currency,
price difference (positive or negative) in local currency or a price multiplier. Or, it
could be an abstract value, such as high/medium/low.
When the pricing signal is used in conjunction with Basic Scheduling to modify the
inverter operating conditions based on the pricing signal value, the actual meaning
of the price signal, must match the control or range (x) values in the corresponding
schedule array so a meaningful comparison/match can be made.
Volt-‐VAR Arrays (Model 126)

The Volt-‐VAR model provides one or more Volt-‐VAR arrays, each of which consists
of Volt-‐VAR pairs: a set of voltage levels and their corresponding VAR levels that will
be treated as a piecewise linear function with hysteresis (Figure 7). Hysteresis is not
required and if not present, the falling voltage curve follows the rising curve.
Hysteresis can be simulated with a deadband (Figure 8). The voltage is in percent of
VRef, the voltage at the point of common coupling. The VAR setting meaning
depends on the DeptRef which selects percent of available VARs (VArAval), percent
of maximum available VARs (VArMax) or percent of maximum watts (WMax). In
addition to the array points, an increment and decrement ramp rate and ramp time
are included. A minimum of four curves of 20 points each are recommended to allow
a controller to select a pre-‐defined profile or for scheduling.

Example Settings with

Use of Hysteresis
Voltage-Rising
Voltage-Falling
P1 (99%VRef,
Q = 50%WMax)
P4 (97 %VRef,
Q = 50%WMax)
VARs Generated
Overexcited
System Voltage
Underexcited
P2 (103%VRef,
Q = -50%WMax)
P3 (101%VRef,
Q = -50%WMax)

Figure 7: Volt-‐VAR Array Setting with Hysteresis
Example Settings with

Use of Deadband
Voltage-Rising/Falling
P1 (97%VRef,
Q = 50%WMax)
VARs Generated
Overexcited
P3 (101%VRef,
Q = 0%WMax)
System Voltage
P2 (99%VRef,
Underexcited Q = 0%WMax)
P4 (103%VRef,
Q = -50%WMax)

Figure 8: Volt-‐VAR Array Setting with Deadband
Frequency-‐Watt Control (Model 127, Model 134)

Frequency-‐watt control is used to limit active power generation or consumption
when the line frequency deviates from nominal by a specified amount. There are
two approaches available for frequency-‐watt control: the parameter approach and
the curve approach.
In the parameter-‐based approach (Model 127), the active power output is reduced
(curtailed) when the measured frequency exceeds the nominal frequency by a
specified amount (HzStr) and removes the power restriction when the frequency
deviation drops below the specified stop frequency (HzStop). Hysteresis is available,
as is a gradient for the rate of power curtailment and restoration (

Delta Active Power Generated

Delta Nominal Grid Frequency Delta Nominal Grid Frequency

HzStop HzStr WGra HzStop HzStr
PM PM WGra
Hysteresis a ctivated
by HystEna
Hysteresis
Example
Assumption for the example:
Example Settings Delta Nominal Grid Frequency

·∙ nominal grid frequency is 60Hz
0.05Hz 0.2Hz 40% 1000W/Hz 1.7Hz ·∙ through too much power in grid the frequency increases
·∙ active power at 60.2Hz is 1000W à active power will be frozen
·∙ active power will be reduced in relation of frequency
·∙ grid frequency reaches it maximum at 61.7Hz à active power of
inverter is 400W = 1000W - 1.5Hz*40%*1000W/Hz
Power feed-in (frozen power-(Delta Nominal Grid Frequency-Delta Start
grid is 400W Frequency)*Gradient*frozen power)
Hysteresis
·∙ after a while the grid frequency becomes smaller than 60.05Hz à active
power will be released and is limited by HzStopWGra
Figure 9).
Delta Nominal Grid Frequency Delta Nominal Grid Frequency

HzStop HzStr WGra HzStop HzStr
PM PM WGra
Hysteresis a ctivated
by HystEna
Hysteresis
Example
Assumption for the example:
Example Settings Delta Nominal Grid Frequency

·∙ nominal grid frequency is 60Hz
0.05Hz 0.2Hz 40% 1000W/Hz 1.7Hz ·∙ through too much power in grid the frequency increases
·∙ active power at 60.2Hz is 1000W à active power will be frozen
·∙ active power will be reduced in relation of frequency
·∙ grid frequency reaches it maximum at 61.7Hz à active power of
inverter is 400W = 1000W - 1.5Hz*40%*1000W/Hz
Power feed-in (frozen power-(Delta Nominal Grid Frequency-Delta Start
grid is 400W Frequency)*Gradient*frozen power)
Hysteresis
·∙ after a while the grid frequency becomes smaller than 60.05Hz à active
power will be released and is limited by HzStopWGra
Figure 9: Parameter-‐Based Frequency-‐Watt Control
The curve-‐based approach (Model 134) consists of one or more frequency-‐watt
arrays, each of which consists of frequency-‐watt pairs: a set of frequencies and their
corresponding Watt levels that will be treated as a piecewise linear function with
hysteresis (Figure 10). The frequency setting is the actual frequency in Hertz. The
watt setting is 0% to 100% of the maximum available watts (WMax). In a storage
system, the watt setting may be negative to indicate the system should absorb
power from the grid to try and reduce the frequency even further. Hysteresis is
supported, as well as an optional snapshot mode. A minimum of four curves with 20
points each is recommended.

Figure 10: Curve-‐Based Frequency-‐Watt Control with Hysteresis
In some cases, it may be desirable to limit and reduce power output relative to the
instantaneous output power at the moment when frequency deviates to a certain
point (snapshot). To enable this capability, each frequency-‐watt mode configuration
may optionally include the following parameters, in addition to the array: SnptW,
WRefStrHz and WRefStopHz.
Dynamic Reactive Current (Model 128)

This control provides a mechanism for inverters to provide reactive current support
in response to dynamic variations in service voltage. This is distinct from the Volt-‐
VAR function in that the controlling parameter is the change in voltage from a
moving average, rather than the instantaneous voltage level itself. The FilTms
setting is used to specify the time window used to calculate the moving average of
VRef. ArGraSag and ArGraSwell identify the additional reactive current as a percent
of the rated current (ARtg), based on the delta voltage from the moving average of
voltage. A deadband, defined by DbVMin and DbVMax, can be used to limit this
function to be activated only when the delta voltage exceeds some limit (Figure 11).

Figure 11: Dynamic Reactive Current Support
The settings identify the boundaries of the reactive current feed-‐in zones identified
by the yellow shaded areas (Figure 12). The use of the deadband between DbVMax
and DbVMin allows the activation of this behavior for a voltage sag or swell to be
thought of as an “event”. The event begins when the present measured voltage
moves above the moving average voltage by DbVMax or below by DbVMin, as shown
by the blue line in Figure 12 and labeled as t0.
In the example shown, reactive current support continues until a time HoldTmms
after the voltage returns above DbVMin as shown. In this example, this occurs at
time t1, and this event continues to be considered active until time t2 (which is t1 +
HoldTmms). An optional blocking zone, inside which additional reactive current
support is not provided can be defined by the three parameters BlkZnTmms,
BlkZnV, and HysBlkZnV.

Figure 12: Activation Zones for Reactive Current Support
LVRT Arrays (Model 129, Model 137)

Two duration-‐volt arrays for low voltage conditions, each of which consists of
duration-‐volt pairs: a set of durations (time at a given voltage) and voltage levels
that will be treated as a piecewise linear function. One model (129) represents the
“must disconnect” region and the second model (137) represents the “must remain
connected” array (Figure 13). If the “must remain connected” array is not defined, it
is assumed to be the same as the “must disconnect” array. The voltage is in percent
of VRef, the voltage at the point of common coupling. In addition to the disconnect
arrays, additional registers are used to define the reconnect behavior.
LVRT curves are assumed to extend horizontally to the left to zero seconds below
the first point in the array and to the right horizontally above the right-‐most point in
the array.

Figure 13: Use of Curves to Define LVRT Area
HVRT Arrays (Model 130, Model 138)

Similar to the LVRT, two duration-‐volt models with arrays for high voltage
conditions, each of which consists of duration-‐volt pairs: a set of durations (time at a
given voltage) and voltage levels that will be treated as a piecewise linear function.
The first model (130) represents the “must disconnect” region and the second
model (138) represents the “must remain connected” array (Figure 14). If the “must
remain connected” array is not defined, it is assumed to be the same as the “must
disconnect” array. The voltage is in percent of VRef, the voltage at the point of
common coupling. In addition to the disconnect arrays, additional registers are used
to define the reconnect behavior.

Figure 14: Use of Curves to Define HVRT Area
Watt-‐Power Factor Array (Model 131)

The watt-‐power factor (PF) control is curve-‐based with a watt-‐PF array, consisting
of watt-‐PF pairs: a set of power levels and their corresponding PF setting that will
be treated as a piecewise linear function with hysteresis (Figure 15). The watt
setting is 0% to ±100% of the maximum available watts (WMax). The PF setting is
the cosine of the power factor angle, using the EEI power factor sign convention. By

using signed power and power factor, this curve can operate in all four quadrants. A
minimum of four arrays with 20 points each is recommended.
Overexcited
0.90
PF Generated PFStr, PFExtStr
100%
WStop (Wmax)
1
Active Power Feed-In
WStr
0.85 PFStop, PFExtStop
Underexcited

Figure 15: Example Watt-‐PF Curve
Voltage-‐Watt Arrays (Model 132)

This model provides a mechanism to control output power based on the local
voltage (Figure 16). One or more voltage-‐watt arrays are defined, each of which
consists of volt-‐watt pairs: a set of voltage levels and their corresponding watt levels
that will be treated as a piecewise linear function with hysteresis. The voltage is in
percent of VRef, the voltage at the point of common coupling. The watt setting is 0%
to 100% of the maximum available watts (WMax). A minimum of four arrays with
20 points each is recommended.

Figure 16: Example Voltage-‐Watt Curve
Basic Scheduling (Model 133)

Most of the control functions described previously can be performed according to a
schedule (typically, but not necessarily, time-‐based). Schedules provide for
additional autonomous operation and consist of the schedule x-‐value meaning, y-‐
value meaning and an array of control or range (x) variables and the controlled or
target (y) values. Multiple non-‐conflicting schedules may be active simultaneously.
Inactive schedules must have their ActPoints entry set to zero.

Two types of pricing schedules are defined: one where pricing is the control variable
and another where pricing is the controlled variable. In the first type, the schedule is
an array of pricing values and their corresponding dependent operation (set power
output level, charge/discharge gradients, VAR output, etc. In the other case, the
control variable is time and the dependent variable the actual pricing value for real
or reactive power. This allows a controller to preprogram a day-‐ahead pricing
schedule. This schedule could run in parallel with the first type of pricing schedule
or could run on its own with the actual inverter/storage operation determined by
manufacturer determined controls.
A minimum of four schedules with 10 entries each is recommended.
LFRT Array (Model 135)

The LFRT model is a duration-‐frequency array for low frequency conditions, which
consists of duration-‐frequency pairs: a set of durations (time at a given frequency)
and frequency values (in Hertz) that will be treated as a piecewise linear function. A
single LFRT model is provided with a “must disconnect” curve. Unlike LVRT, no
corresponding “must remain connected” curve or model is provided.
HFRT Array (Model 136)

The HFRT model is a duration-‐frequency array for high frequency conditions, which
consists of duration-‐frequency pairs: a set of durations (time at a given frequency)
and frequency values (in Hertz) that will be treated as a piecewise linear function. A
single HFRT model is provided with a “must disconnect” curve. Unlike HVRT, no
corresponding “must remain connected” curve or model is provided.
SunSpec Inverter Control Procedural Requirements

Refer to the SunSpec Procedural Requirements section in the SunSpec Information
Model Specification.
Modbus Security
It is recognized that where direct control of an inverter’s power generation
capability is concerned, there is a concern that only authorized personnel or entities
are allowed to make changes to the operating settings.
The Modbus standard does not include any mechanism to login or authenticate a
master to a slave, or a slave to a master and has historically relied on physical
security. SunSpec does not plan to create proprietary extensions to the Modbus
standard for authentication.
However, there are common, commercial-‐off-‐the-‐shelf technologies and methods

which can be used with Modbus/TCP connections:

• The device can implement ‘Permitted Host’ lists, preventing control actions
from unauthorized IP peers.
• The device can limit control actions to Modbus/TCP clients connecting with
SSL/TLS, which can include certificate-‐based authentication.
• Many cellular and broadband gateways include VPN end-‐point functionality,
which allows remote hosts to securely tunnel standard Modbus/TCP via a
bank-‐quality VPN link to remote sites.
Certification
If you would like to have your product SunSpec Certified, please read the
information available at http://sunspec.org/sunspec-‐certified-‐program/
References
The work in this document is based on past and on-‐going work in various industry
and standards bodies, including IEC TC57/WG17, DNP3 User’s Group and EPRI.
[1] Specification for Smart Inverter Interactions with the Electric Grid Using
International Electrotechnical Commission 61850, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA: 2010.
1021674.
[2] DNP3 Profile for Basic Photovoltaic Generation and Storage, DNP3 AN2011-‐001,
Version 2011-‐03-‐21.
[3] IEC 61850 Object Models for Photovoltaic, Storage and Other DER Inverters, IEC
61850-‐90-‐7, draft ver 27a
[4] Common Functions for Smart Inverters. EPRI, Palo Alto, CA: 2011. Product ID
Number 1023059
Acknowledgements
Figures 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16 courtesy of EPRI 1023059 (reference 4).
Figures 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 15 and Table 1 courtesy of IEC 61850-‐90-‐7 (reference 3).

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License Agreement and Copyright Notice

4030 Moorpark Avenue, Suite 109 Website: www.sunspec.org

San Jose, CA 95117 Email: info@sunspec.org

Version 0.0b 11-­‐01-­‐2011 Initial draft proposal.

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 2 of 22

Version 0.4 02-­‐13-­‐2012 Remove appendices. Add Security section.

DRAFT 10 08-­‐29-­‐2012 Writeable clarification.

DRAFT 13 01-­‐10-­‐2014 Clarify definition of Power Factor.

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 3 of 22

Change to new SunSpec document format, change

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 4 of 22

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 5 of 22

4x402xx Other Control Model

4x40xxx Other Control Model

4x40xxx End Model

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 6 of 22

Inverter Data Models and Modbus Maps

The SunSpec Information Model Reference spreadsheet is generated

Monitoring Data Element Types

• Inverter AC values

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 7 of 22

Inverter Control Models

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 8 of 22

Nameplate Ratings (Model 120)

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 9 of 22

Basic Settings (Model 121)

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 10 of 22

Example Settings = Electrical Connection Point (ECP)

VRefOfs = 2V Utility Power System

Measurements and Extended Status Reporting (Model 122)

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 11 of 22

Immediate Controls (Model 123)

Power factor sign Power factor sign

Imported /Received (VAR)

Power factor sign Power factor sign

Quadrant 3 270° Quadrant 4

Figure 6: EEI Power Factor sign convention

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 12 of 22

Basic Storage Control (Model 124)

Pricing Signal (Model 125)

Volt-­‐VAR Arrays (Model 126)

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 13 of 22

Example Settings with

Example Settings with

Frequency-­‐Watt Control (Model 127, Model 134)

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 14 of 22

Delta Active Power Generated

Delta Active Power Generated

Example Settings Delta Nominal Grid Frequency

Delta Nominal Grid Frequency Delta Nominal Grid Frequency

Delta Active Power Generated

Example Settings Delta Nominal Grid Frequency

Figure 9: Parameter-­‐Based Frequency-­‐Watt Control

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 15 of 22

Dynamic Reactive Current (Model 128)

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 16 of 22

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 17 of 22

LVRT Arrays (Model 129, Model 137)

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 18 of 22

HVRT Arrays (Model 130, Model 138)

Watt-­‐Power Factor Array (Model 131)

SunSpec Inverter Models Page 19 of 22

0.85 PFStop, PFExtStop

Version 0.0b 11-‐01-‐2011 Initial draft proposal.

Version 0.4 02-‐13-‐2012 Remove appendices. Add Security section.

DRAFT 10 08-‐29-‐2012 Writeable clarification.

DRAFT 13 01-‐10-‐2014 Clarify definition of Power Factor.

Volt-‐VAR Arrays (Model 126)

Frequency-‐Watt Control (Model 127, Model 134)

Figure 9: Parameter-‐Based Frequency-‐Watt Control

Watt-‐Power Factor Array (Model 131)

Voltage-‐Watt Arrays (Model 132)

However, there are common, commercial-‐off-‐the-‐shelf technologies and methods